The Android 7.0 (Nougat) update is now rolling out to NVIDIA SHIELD tablets. This follows on from the Android Nougat update which recently rolled out to the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV (2015) and brings the operating system version on the likes of the original NVIDIA SHIELD tablet and the SHIELD Tablet K1 in line with the SHIELD Android TV 2015 and 2017. The update is arriving in the form of Software Upgrade 5.0 and is rolling out by way of a staggered rollout. Which means that while the update is officially becoming available today, it might take a few days before the rollout process is complete and it reaches all SHIELD tablets.
In terms of what SHIELD Upgrade 5.0 will bring to the SHIELD tablets, you can expect all the trappings associated with Android Nougat in general. So for instance, an improved level of power consumption thanks to Doze on the Go, as well as multi-tasking capabilities where tablet owners will be able to make use more than one app at the same time, in a side by side layout. There are also a number of improvements to the native notification system, including the grouping of messages from the same apps and the ability to reply to messages from within the notification prompt.
This update will of course bring with it a number of NVIDIA and SHIELD-specific improvements as well. One worth noting is that the SHIELD Upgrade 5.0 includes support for the SHIELD Controller (2017). This is the Controller which comes packaged with the new SHIELD (2017) Android TV, although it can also be purchased as a standalone accessory. So if you have (or plan to) pick up a new SHIELD Controller, following the update there should be no issues with the compatibility between the SHIELD Controller and the SHIELD tablet. In addition, SHIELD owners will also now be able to join NVIDIA’s SHIELD Rewards Program which is an exclusive loyalty program for owners of SHIELD devices. As to be expected with any update, this one will also include various bug fixes and more minor improvements, while the attached security update will bring SHIELD tablets up to a December 1, 2016 Android security patch level.